To: Consumer Contact List
From: Karen Peltz Strauss, RERC-TA
Re: Consumer Contact List - Summary of new FCC rules on VRS and CapTel, closure of CC Docket 98-67, VoIP E911 Task Force;
release of NPRM on CC, captioning exemptions, outreach campaign for Lifeline and Link-up programs.
Date: July 28, 2005
1. New TRS/VRS Orders. Listed below are the URLs of the 3 Orders released by the FCC on July 21, 2005. Below are the
weblinks to these orders and various Commissioner statements:
TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES AND SPEECH-TO-SPEECH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING AND SPEECH DISABILITIES. The
FCC adopted rules moving the Video Relay Service (VRS) closer to the goal of providing deaf and hard of hearing persons
functionally equivalent access to the nation's telephone system. (Dkt No. 98-67, 03-123). Action by: the Commission.
Adopted: 07/14/2005 by R&O. (FCC No. 05-140). CGB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A2.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A3.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A4.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A5.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A2.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A3.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A4.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A5.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A1.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A2.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A3.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A4.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-140A5.txt>
TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES AND SPEECH-TO-SPEECH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING AND SPEECH DISABILITIES. The FCC
concluded
that Spanish translation Video Relay Service - in which the communications assistant translates what is signed in American
Sign Language into spoken Spanish, and vice versa - is a form of TRS compensable from the Interstate TRS fund. (Dkt No.
98-67, 03-123). Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 07/14/2005 by Order on Reconsideration. (FCC No. 05-139). CGB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A2.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A3.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A4.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A5.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A2.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A3.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A4.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A5.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A1.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A2.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A3.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A4.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-139A5.txt>
TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICES AND SPEECH-TO-SPEECH SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH HEARING AND SPEECH DISABILITIES. The FCC
clarified
that two-line captioned telephone service is a type of telecommunications relay service (TRS) eligible for compensation from
the Interstate TRS Fund. (Dkt No. 98-67, 03-123). Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 07/14/2005 by ORDER. (FCC No.05-141).
CGB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A2.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A3.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A4.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A5.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A2.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A3.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A4.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A5.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A1.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A2.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A3.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A4.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-141A5.txt>
2. FCC Closes CC Docket 98-67 - The FCC has now closed one of its earlier dockets pertaining to telecommunications relay
services. Now, it will be easier to file comments in these proceedings because consumers and others only need to file in CG
Docket 03-123. The notice making this change is linked to below:
Released: 07/22/2005. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION CLOSES CC DOCKET NO. 98-67, ADDRESSING TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY
SERVICES (TRS); ALL FILINGS ADDRESSING TRS MATTERS SHOULD BE FILED IN CG DOCKET NO. 03-123. (DA No. 05-2050). (Dkt No
03-123). CGB. Contact: Dana Jackson
at (202) 418-2247, email: Dana.Jackson@fcc.gov, TTY: (202) 418-7898
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2050A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2050A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2050A1.txt>
3. New VoIP Task Force - The FCC has set up a task force that will dedicate itself to resolving matters on the handling of
emergency calls through VoIP services. The FCC Release announcing the creation of this new group is linked to below:
FCC ANNOUNCES JOINT FEDERAL/STATE VOIP ENHANCED 911 ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE. News Release. News Media Contact: Janice Wise
at (202) 418-8165,
email: Janice.Wise@fcc.gov OCM
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260150A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260150A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260150A1.txt>
4. FCC releases NPRM on closed captioning - The FCC has now released its request for comments on new rules for closed
captioning. The comment dates have not yet been set. Here is the URL (listed below) to obtain a copy of the NPRM:
CLOSED CAPTIONING OF VIDEO PROGRAMMING/TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR THE DEAF, INC. PETITION FOR RULEMAKING. The FCC began a
proceeding to assess how its closed captioning rules are succeeding in ensuring that video programming is accessible to the
millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. (Dkt No. 05-231). Action by: the Commission. Adopted: 07/14/2005 by NPRM.
(FCC No. 05-142). CGB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A2.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A3.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A4.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A5.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A2.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A3.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A4.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A5.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A1.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A2.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A3.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A4.txt>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-142A5.txt>
5. Two petitions for exemptions from the captioning rules have been filed: Released: 07/22/2005. REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM
COMMISSION'S CLOSED CAPTIONING RULES. (DA No. 05-2052) CSR 6897. MB. Contact: Sonia Greenaway-Mickle or Steve Garner
(202) 418-7200, TTY: (202) 418-7172
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2052A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2052A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2052A1.txt>
Released: 07/22/2005. REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM COMMISSION'S CLOSED CAPTIONING RULES. (DA No. 05-2054) CSR 6898. MB.
Contact: Sonia Greenaway-Mickle or Steve Garner at (202) 418-7200, TTY: (202) 418-7172
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2054A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2054A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2054A1.txt>
6. Lifeline and Link-up outreach campaign - The FCC is embarking on a new campaign to increase awareness of Lifeline and
Link-up programs. Although these do not pertain directly to people with disabilities, they do provide subsidies for low
income telephone users, including people with disabilities.
FCC AND NARUC LAUNCH "LIFELINE ACROSS AMERICA" TO RAISE AWARENESS OF LIFELINE AND LINK-UP PROGRAMS. Discount Programs Help
Low-Income Households Afford Phone Service. News Release. News Media Contact: Rosemary Kimball at (202) 418-0511, email:
Rosemary.Kimball@fcc.gov CGB
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260129A1.doc>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260129A1.pdf>
<http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-260129A1.txt>
